As Australia reflects on the sacrifices and contributions made by the men and women of the nation’s armed forces, two of the GIANTS have reflected on what ANZAC Day means to them.

Young ruck Matt Flynn said the day is one of high importance to his family with his Grandfather, Owen James Baskett, having served in World War II.

Private Baskett, from the small coastal New South Wales town of Moruya, enlisted in the 3^rd Australian Infantry Battalion and saw front line fighting on the Kokoda Track. 

Just 20-years-old at the time, Baskett was wounded while fighting in the Owen Stanley Ranges in 1942 but fought on at Euro Creek until the effects of Malaria saw him leave the battlefield. 

“It’s pretty special to have someone in the family that has fought for the country,” Flynn said.

“He actually spoke about it while he was alive, and I guess it heightens that importance to ANZAC Day and I guess what servicemen and women do for us. 

“I’m really privileged to have him in my family.”

For Flynn the significance of his Grandfather’s contribution has left a lasting impression. 

Now 21 – the same age at which Owen Baskett faced the full force of the Japanese imperial army - Flynn uses his Grandfather’s experience to bring perspective to his journey in the AFL.

“The Kokoda Track is actually something I want to do after footy, for that reason to put myself in his position, in a way to show how easy I had it in my footy career,” he said.

“As hard as you think it is during pre-season and what not, it’d be awesome to go over there and think jeez we had it pretty easy.

“They did it with 20 kilo backpacks and guns, and here we are running around an oval complaining about that – sometimes it’s good to think about that and get yourself out of your own head.” 

Midfielder Matt de Boer’s grandfather William Neil Menzies and great uncle Roy Menzies both served during the Second World War. 

De Boer’s great uncle Roy served in the Australian Army and after being captured by the Japanese he was forced to work on the infamous Burma railway. 

William served in the Navy aboard HMAS Napier, a vessel that spent most of the war patrolling the Indian Ocean, and the Red and Mediterranean Seas escorting ships from the Australian, United States and British Navies.

De Boer’s grandfather took part in the occupation landings in Japan and was present in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945 when the Japanese signed their formal surrender.

“Despite my grandad being very humble and reserved about his service during World War II, I draw a lot of strength and pride from knowing he stepped up when his mates and country needed him,” de Boer said.

“Pop always enjoyed coming to watch me play football and although in no way can football compare to the courage it would take to enlist, I try and honour him with my effort every time I take the field.” 

It is a coincidence that de Boer would come to live in the city that his grandfather would see from the deck of a destroyer on September 22, 1945 his first day back in the country occupying the waters of Japan. 

While Flynn and de Boer have connections to a war that can only be reflected upon, forward Daniel Lloyd has watched his best friend journey to the Middle East to engage in a conflict that continues to this day.

Lloyd’s childhood friend Sam Livings served in Afghanistan for 10 months as part of the 2^ndCavalry Regiment. 

Having played football together since they were in year seven, Lloyd didn’t truly appreciate what his friend was going through when he went off to war in 2013 at the age of 21.

“It was a weird feeling knowing where he was, we were still young and I guess I was a bit naive and took for granted what he was actually doing for us at the time,” Lloyd said.

“We would speak a lot on the phone and he was always the same character, I could never take the bloke seriously.” 

While Lloyd was playing football for Killarney Vale and plying his trade as a carpenter, Livings was doing more than just cracking jokes over the phone.

He was busy patrolling some of the most dangerous countryside inside an armored vehicle.

“I was definitely worried but knowing Sam and the type of person he is I knew he couldn’t have been more prepared for where he was,” Lloyd said.

“In saying that I couldn’t imagine being in the environment he was, the thought was in the back of my mind that he might not come and it was pretty scary. 

“For someone to choose to serve our country in Afghanistan speaks volume on the type of person he is.

“He cared about something bigger than himself and put everything on the line for us. I’m proud to know him, I’m proud he’s in my family’s life and I’m extremely grateful for all of his sacrifices.”

As the GIANTS and the wider AFL community pay tribute to the men and women who have died in service of the country this ANZAC Day, it is also important to acknowledge the contribution of those that continue to serve.

New GIANT Jessica Allan works for the Australian Army, while former GIANTS AFL Women’s players Clare Lawton and Phoebe Monahan also worked in the military during their time at the club.